163 research outputs found
The thin space between individuals and contexts as affordance for healthy longevity: a psychological perspective for aging in place studies
No full textIt seems likely that the growing number of older adults and increasing urbanization will be among the most significant demographic and societal trends in the near future. These two global phenomena will undoubtedly have a profound effect on the demographic and geographical makeup of our world. In view of these changes, it is crucial that the health and social sciences consider how the concept of Aging in Place could play a valuable role in longevity studies. Considering this topic as correlated to different important themes such as functional, symbolic, and emotional attachment and importance of homes, neighborhoods, and communities - resumed in the categories of people, place and time - we introduce a new perspective in Aging in (urban) Place studies from a psychological perspective based on situated and embodied cognition, with the purpose of deeply analyzing the thin space between people and their context, viewing place not as a neutral backdrop but as a continuous opportunity for individuals to act. Only through an analysis of urban spaces as limits or possibilities in everyday life can we grasp how the city can be an adequate place to empower individuals' healthy longevity
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No full textL. Canfora, M.S. Montecalvo, P. Butti de Lima, Vita di Chardon de la Rochette commissario alle biblioteche, Messina, 200
Vita di Chardon de la Rochette commissario alle biblioteche. Edizione con commento del Carteggio inedito, documenti e lettere tra A.-A. Barbier e S. Chardon de la Rochette (1800-1806; 1813-1814)
No full textAging And Urbanization: Investigating Different “Aging In Place”. Models In The City As An Opportunity To Empower Individuals’ Healthy Longevity
No full textWhile elderly population in the 21 century is increasing, to sustain the wave of urbanization the city’s planning and urban policies are changing. It is necessary think future scenarios according to the empowerment trend of the aging, who are moving from an ageist stereotypical view (Butler, 1975), and to innovative inclusive urban contexts that move far from an idea of elderly as a ‘problem’ or ‘economic burden’ for the society (Phillipson, 2013).
According to this vision Aging in Place (AIP) models were recently introduced to sustain urban age friendly policies (Vasunilashorn, et al., 2012). AIP, in fact, considers neighbourhoods and communities as crucial determinants of healthy longevity (Oswald et al., 2010) and intend to rethink and re-designing urban spaces around aged individual’s needs. This innovation is congruent with the psychological research on aging considered in a lifespan perspective (Morganti, 2022) and with the idea of considering the aging period in a sort of “New map of life” (longevity.stanford.edu) that requires new projects for longevity.
The research main objective is to understand how different possibilities of AIP can determine healthy longevity. Over 80 years groups of individuals living in two different neighbourhoods of Bergamo city are analysed as case study. Taking in mind two main focuses - individuals and places - quantitative and qualitative measurements are introduced. Adopting a bio-psycho-social and ecological model of lifespan development (Bronfenbrenner, 1979), the individual focus assesses the healthy status (quantitative) and the motivation to empower in aging (qualitative). At the same time, adopting a multidimensional and multi-level lens, the place focus requires a spatial urbanistic analysis (e.g. functional and morphological setting; presence of physical barriers or limitations) combined with an ethnographic participant observation (qualitative). This multiple approach is necessary for give importance not only to the individuals AIP choices and to the creation of her/his proximal relationships, but also to the role of the entire system that surround the individual able to determine it. Through the introduction of this research model, we would like to understand the aging individuals life history, the motivation of a living choice inside the city, and perceived satisfaction in the interaction with the urban environment she/he decide to live within. By analysing how some different AIP solutions influences their everyday living condition within the city of Bergamo we’ll be able to determine different grades of healthy longevity, and we‘ll contribute to provide a fundamental perspective shift in the studies of aging and urbanization.
A possible implication of this study could be the involving of policymakers, urban planner and architects, to propose new empowerment possibilities of urban spaces (in particular public or collective spaces) and contribute to introduce cities innovation that can turn aging into affordable places for new AIP models, according to the World Health Organization proposal (WHO, 2017) and the NexGeneration EU (next-generation-eu.europa.eu)
Quantitative Evaluation of Physiotherapists' Perceptions on Cognitive and Mental Health in Rehabilitation: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Northern Italy
No full textPurpose: To explore Italian physiotherapists' perceptions about their roles in managing cognitive and mental conditions in rehabilitation.
Methods: A quantitative study, in the form of an online cross-sectional survey. A standardized questionnaire was developed together with the Bergamo physiotherapy association and a team of psychologists and piloted with 10 physiotherapists. The questionnaire was structured in four sections with 21 items: 1) informed consent, 2) demographic information, 3) cognitive, and 4) mental health. Participants were physiotherapists who were members of the Italian National Physiotherapy Association (FNOFI). The link to the online survey was emailed through regional physiotherapy associations and social media. The frequencies and percentages of the responses were calculated. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the University of Bergamo, and consent was obtained from the participants prior to the conduct of the survey.
Results: Two hundred and forty-seven physiotherapists responded to the survey, with 242 providing written consent to participate. Participants had 17±10 years of professional experience, and the preferred sources of information were courses (80%), practical experience (76%), and guidelines (45%). Regarding the cognitive section, although 95% declared that motor rehabilitation has cognitive effects, only 50% affirmed that they have the knowledge to handle these patients, and 41% of primary doctors recommend considering it as part of the treatment. With regard to the mental health section, only 22% of physiotherapists declared that they had been informed about the role of physiotherapy in mental health during their formative education, and 25% affirmed that they have the knowledge to handle these patients. Lastly, 84% of participants had never received a patient referred solely for a psychological condition.
Conclusion(s): Based on these results, it is possible to observe that Italian physiotherapists reproduce the trend of limited ability to deal with this population, even though it is recommended in Italy’s guidelines
Implications: In order to improve physiotherapy services and reduce burden on this population, it is important to understand the perceptions of physiotherapists, as well as those of healthcare professionals responsible for referring these patients. Raising awareness and providing targeted training to physiotherapists, besides encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, are crucial steps
Emotional Status, Motor Dysfunction, and Cognitive Functioning as Predictors of Quality of Life in Physically Engaged Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
No full textThe demographic transition has become a reality, and it demands public policies to promote physical and mental health in aging. Group exercise emerges as a cost-effective and accessible alternative to promote active aging on a large scale, but to optimize the effectiveness of these programs, it is crucial to understand the underlying mechanisms that improve quality of life. This study aimed to explore the associations between emotional status, cognitive functioning, motor dysfunction, and their relationship with quality of life in community-dwelling older adults participating in a group physical exercise program. Structural equation modeling was used to explore these relationships in a sample of 190 older adults. Emotional state directly predicted all domains of quality of life. Motor dysfunction predicts the physical health domain of quality of life. Motor dysfunction and cognitive functioning are strongly correlated with emotional status. The fit indices of the final model are acceptable, and it demonstrates that within group-exercise dynamics, emotional status is the main component of quality-of-life promotion. Therefore, professionals designing group physical exercise programs to promote active aging should consider not only physical fitness, but also the integration of psychosocial elements, offering a holistic approach to enhancing overall well-being
Fifteen Weeks of Light-Intensity, Community-Based Group Exercise Improves Executive Function, Upper-Limb Strength, and Endurance in Older Adults: A Pre–Post Study
No full textAlthough the benefits of physical activity for older adults are well established, the prevalence of insufficient physical activity remains the highest among individuals over 60. This quasi-experimental study was intended to analyze the physical and psychological effects of older adults’ participation for 15 weeks in a light-intensity, group-based, multicomponent program designed to be long-term, inclusive, and low-cost. A total of 143 community-dwelling older adults were included in the final analysis. On average, participants attended 76.5% of the sessions (SD = 15.8%), and the median time of previous participation in the program was 15 (IQR: 4–37) months. Significant improvements were observed in executive functioning and selected physical outcomes with lower baseline performance; furthermore, overall well-being was maintained. This program promotes prevention by maintaining or enhancing physical and psychological health, in addition to addressing barriers to long-term participation in community-based physical exercise, especially for those with poorer health status
La doppia discesa del filosofo. Una lettura politica della caverna platonica
No full textThe concept of a Platonic «political philosophy» is paradoxical. No other place reveals more clearly this paradox than the image of the cave in the Repub- lic. A true discourse about the polis should express the knowledge of the shades, once the philosopher becomes habituated to the darkness. However, it is possible to distinguish a double «descent» of the philosopher among the prisoners: in a first moment, he becomes the object of mockery and violence; in a second moment, he is equipped with political power. Political theory seems to be justified by the philo- sophical activity of government (the second descent), so it is necessary to ask about the meaning of a theory developed by someone who is just an observer of the polis, having no political power (the first descent). This is the position of Socrates, when describing the image of the cave. This is also the position of Plato as the author of The Republic
A Structural Equation Model for Understanding the Relationship between Cognitive Reserve, Autonomy, Depression and Quality of Life in Aging
No full textIn recent years, aging has become a focal point of scientific research and health policies due to the growing demographic trend of an aging worldwide population. Understanding the protective and risk factors that influence aging trajectories is crucial for designing targeted interventions that support healthy aging and improve people’s quality of life. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between variables of aging. A total of 103 Italian participants (55–75 years old) underwent multidimensional assessments that covered cognitive, functional, emotional, and quality of life dimensions. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and elucidate the relationships between depression, quality of life, cognitive reserve, executive functions, and daily autonomy. The findings revealed that a higher quality of life was associated with reduced depressive symptoms. In addition, cognitive reserve emerged as a protective factor positively correlated with both quality of life and daily autonomy. In this study, quality of life was determined using physical health, psychological, social relationships, and environmental domains. Identifying the significant relationships between these variables in a sample of late adults and young-aged people has given us useful elements for designing psycho-educational interventions that can be aimed at preventing frailty in later old age or supporting healthy longevity
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